Union Minister and Republican Party of India (A) leader Ramdas Athawale opposed the demand to demolish Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's grave in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, saying "its removal won't serve any purpose". "His tomb has existed for many years, and there is no need to reopen this issue," he stated. Athawale added, "The tomb stands as a reminder of his misdeeds."